"Most doctors will give you tablets like Tramadol without asking too many questions," she said. "GPs are just feeding people with pills, and the result is that the NHS is creating drug addicts."

'Patients demand strong painkillers'

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More than three million prescriptions were issued in 2016 for the opioid Buprenorphine

Analysis of the England and Wales crime survey by the BBC England data unit suggests about 2.3 million people aged 16 to 59 in England took a prescription painkiller that had not been prescribed for them in 2016-17.

Doctors and addiction experts have reported seeing a rise in the number patients seeking help for opioid prescription addictions.

"I'd say in the last five years the number of patients I'm treating has doubled," said Professor Jonathan Chick from Castle Craig Hospital, a rehabilitation clinic in Peeblesshire, Scotland that treats people from across the UK.

"There is definitely a link between rising numbers of prescriptions and an increase in the number of opioid addicts and related deaths."

The Royal College of GPs said doctors would not prescribe opioid painkillers irresponsibly.

"GPs take prescribing any medication incredibly seriously and will never prescribe opioids as a 'quick fix'," said chairwoman Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard.

"GPs will continue to work closely with patients in chronic pain by inviting them for regular medication reviews, and prescribing opioids when they are deemed to be the best treatment option, at the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time."

An NHS England spokesman said: "GPs and other health professionals make decisions about what, if any, medication to prescribe based on each individual patient's specific condition and circumstances. GPs and hospitals are working to ensure every prescription is both safe and effective, and the Care Quality Commission can investigate instances where these drugs appear to be given too frequently."